When a watch has patina and when it´s destroyed?

Engee · Oct 4, 2020

How’s this for a definition?
Patina happens over the lifetime of the watch and differs according the atmospheric conditions it is subjected to. Damage is the result of consistent misuse or an unfortunate incident.

It may not always be obvious as to whether the appearance of a watch is the result of damage or natural process, so ultimately an owner needs to decide if they like the look of a watch or not.

A destroyed watch doesn’t work and is unrepairable.

Emeister · Oct 4, 2020

Jayco
That BOR band is worth almost that much these days.

I may not quite place that value on it myself but I can certainly understand how someone could justify this purchase to themselves.
There's more than a few owners in the same position as @kpaxsg that could possibly value a case with attached bezel; https://omegaforums.net/threads/wha...for-my-vintage-yellow-doxa-divingstar.113775/

Honestly, I just saw this watch and couldn't believe how all recognisable features had disappeared from the dial; short of the orange tinge. This thread popped up at the right time and was an easy place for me to slot it in.

Still can't believe how the date wheel survived.

Maybe there's value in that as well?
At least if the watch is only going to be worn once a month in rotation; on the 27th! 😉

Emeister · Oct 4, 2020

Here's a couple of pictures of a watch I love from f.antl on instagram.
This watch has certainly travelled a very long way down the patina highway.

In it's current condition it can certainly be photographed to look very beautiful to me.
Is that just arty farty fluff? Would I actually want to own it?
Who knows what lays ahead for this one?

Rasputin · Oct 4, 2020

I’m still trying to determine what caused the dial to turn such a uniformly champagne color while it’s sister still retained its aesthetically pleasing but aged blue hue. Excess exposure to sunlight or moisture? A different paint formulation? Patina or damage? Regardless both are pleasing in their own way.

dougwhiz · Oct 4, 2020

With so many of these vintage watches, the history is such a question mark. Did someone expose the watch to high humidity, maybe accidentally? Did a failed seal allow water to damage the watch, and then it continued to be worn, once the damage was stabilized? The stories would be so interesting to know.

Both my examples look pretty good on the wrist to me, which is my patina test. Both dials are still very legible, and the patina is essentially uniform enough that it's not too obvious, especially to the non watch-wearing public. The Omega dial sparkles a little bit from the uneven lacquer spots, and the Bulova looks cobalt blue. I just don't gaze at these 2 watches too closely, or the flaws present themselves.

IMG_0873 Omega 600 White Technical Dial.jpg

Deafboy · Oct 5, 2020

Marsimaxam
Read this article elara2105... it will give you a lot of insight into your question as have the comments above.

The Difference Between Patina and Damage

What a load of crap.

When a watch has patina and when it´s destroyed?

Engee

Emeister

Emeister

Rasputin

dougwhiz

Deafboy

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